PSY222_Project_One (1) 19-8-23

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1 Project One Manjulika Chatterjee-Bowen Southern New Hampshire University PSY 222: Research Methods in Psychology Prof. Loux August 13, 2023

2 Project One Topic: Dog ownership and cardiovascular health/disease for adults in the U.S. Determine the plan’s background introduction . Include the following details: The title of the plan Summary of three relevant empirical and scholarly research studies for the plan. Each summary should be about 150 to 250 words. The title of this research plan is: Investigating the Cardiovascular Link: A Study on the Influence of Dog Ownership on Heart Health Mubanga, M., Byberg, L., Nowak, C., Egenvall, A., Magnusson, P. K., Ingelsson, E., & Fall, T. (2017). Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death - a nationwide cohort study. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 7, 15821. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1038/s41598-017-16118-6 The study "Dog Ownership and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death: A Nationwide Cohort Study" by Mubanga, M. et al. (2017), investigates the intricate relationship between dog ownership and its potential influence on cardiovascular health outcomes. Conducted in Sweden, this comprehensive investigation aimed to elucidate whether owning a dog correlates with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and decreased mortality. Leveraging an extensive dataset of Swedes aged 40 to 80 on January 1, 2001, the study excluded incomplete records, yielding a robust 3.4 million participants. Meticulously linking data with national registers, researchers examined dog ownership's impact on health outcomes during a 12-year follow-up. (Mubanga, M. et al. 2017) The findings revealed a compelling association between dog ownership and cardiovascular well-being. Dog owners exhibited a remarkable 23% lower risk of death and a significant 20% reduced risk of cardiovascular-related mortality. Additionally, these benefits extended to individuals living alone, with a notable 33% drop in overall mortality risk and a striking 36% decrease in cardiovascular- related death risk. (Mubanga, M. et al. 2017) While the study illuminated promising associations, its observational nature precludes establishing a causal relationship. The study also acknowledges potential confounders like lifestyle and socioeconomic factors that were not fully accounted for.

3 In conclusion, this study underscores the potential advantages of canine companionship in mitigating cardiovascular risks and reducing mortality rates. Although definitive causality is elusive, the study underscores the potential positive impact of dogs on human health, encouraging further research into the intricate interplay between pet ownership and cardiovascular outcomes. (Mubanga, M. et al. 2017) Maugeri, A., Medina-Inojosa, J. R., Kunzova, S., Barchitta, M., Agodi, A., Vinciguerra, M., & Lopez-Jimenez, F. (2019). Dog Ownership and Cardiovascular Health: Results From the Kardiovize 2030 Project. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 3(3), 268–275. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.007 The aim of the "Dog Ownership and Cardiovascular Health: Results From the Kardiovize 2030 Project" study is to explore the potential connection between pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, and cardiovascular health (CVH) outcomes. The investigation is conducted within the Kardiovize Brno 2030 prospective cohort study, encompassing 1769 participants aged 25 to 64 years without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). (Maugeri, A. et al. 2019) Employing a cross-sectional design, the study compares sociodemographic characteristics, CVD risk factors, and CVH metrics between pet owners (24.3% dog owners, 17.9% other pets) and non-pet owners. Additionally, the study evaluates the relationship between dog ownership and CVH by comparing dog owners to both non-dog owners and other pet owners. (Maugeri, A. et al. 2019) The study's strengths lie in its robust sample size, prospective cohort design, and assessment of diverse cardiovascular risk factors and behaviors. However, limitations include its observational nature, preventing causal conclusions, and potential regional specificity, impacting generalizability. (Maugeri, A. et al. 2019) In conclusion, the study indicates that dog ownership is associated with improved CVH outcomes, demonstrated by better adherence to recommended levels of physical activity and diet. While causality cannot be confirmed, these findings underscore the potential benefits of owning a dog on cardiovascular health and warrant further investigation into the mechanisms underlying this relationship for potential public health implications. (Maugeri, A. et al. 2019) Krittanawong, C., Kumar, A., Wang, Z., Jneid, H., Virani, S. S., & Levine, G. N. (2020). Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Health in the US General Population. The American Journal of Cardiology, 125(8), 1158–1161. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.01.030

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4 The study "Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Health in the US General Population" by Krittanawong, C. et al. (2020) aimed to investigate the potential link between pet ownership, specifically dogs or cats, and cardiovascular health among the US population. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999 to 2016, the research assessed associations between pet ownership and cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Among the 42,038 NHANES participants, 31% were questioned about pet ownership, with 81% of them owning dogs or cats. Pet owners exhibited favorable health behaviors and markers, including higher physical activity levels, education, and a lower prevalence of systemic hypertension (SH). Through rigorous multivariable analyses that considered various factors, the study found that pet ownership, encompassing dogs or cats, was independently linked to a decreased prevalence of SH (odds ratio 0.67; p = 0.01) after accounting for confounders. However, the research did not establish significant associations between pet ownership and other cardiovascular conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, or stroke. (Krittanawong, C. et al. 2020) The study emphasized the potential public health significance of promoting pet ownership as a low-risk intervention for improving cardiovascular health and health-related behaviors. While acknowledging limitations inherent in the cross- sectional design, including potential biases and unexplored confounders, the authors highlighted the need for further research, particularly longitudinal studies, to comprehensively unravel the intricate relationship between pet ownership and cardiovascular well-being. (Krittanawong, C. et al. 2020) Develop a clear and specific research question that is relevant to the three research studies you chose. Your response should be about 25 words. Does dog ownership correlate with reduced cardiovascular disease risk and improved health outcomes in diverse populations? Develop a clear, specific, and testable hypothesis that corresponds to your research question. Your response should be about 25 words. Consider the following in your hypothesis: Your hypothesis should be informed by the claim you are making.

5 Dog ownership is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk and improved health outcomes, supported by increased physical activity, social support, and stress reduction. Describe aspects of sampling that you would want to consider while acquiring participants for your study. Your response should be about 100 words. In acquiring participants for the study, several sampling considerations would be crucial. First, ensuring a diverse and representative sample would enhance the study's generalizability. Stratified random sampling could be employed to account for demographics such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. To establish causal relationships, a longitudinal design might be appropriate, tracking participants over time. Minimizing selection bias by using random or systematic sampling methods would be essential. Additionally, obtaining a sufficiently large sample size would increase statistical power and the study's ability to detect meaningful associations. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent and participant privacy, should also guide the sampling process. Select a design (experimental or correlational) for your proposed study that aligns with the research question and hypothesis. Your response should be about 100 words. Include the following details: Explain why you selected this design. Identify conceptual variables that align with the research question and hypothesis. A correlational design is suitable for this study. It aligns with the research question and hypothesis by examining relationships between variables (dog ownership, cardiovascular health). Conceptual variables include "Dog Ownership" (independent variable) and "Cardiovascular Health" (dependent variable). A correlational design allows exploring associations between these variables without manipulating them, which suits the aim of understanding the potential link between dog ownership and cardiovascular health outcomes in diverse populations. It captures real- world scenarios, considering the ethical challenges associated with manipulating pet ownership and health behaviors, making it a practical and relevant approach. Select a measure to operationally define each of your conceptual variables. Your response should be about 100 words per variable. Include the following details: As you select a measure, also state whether it uses natural/laboratory observations, surveys, objective/physiological measures, interviews, etc. For each variable you measure, identify its scale of measurement.

6 Dog Ownership (Independent Variable): Measure: Participants will respond to a self- report survey indicating whether they own dogs, cats, or other pets. This survey falls under the survey method, utilizing a nominal scale of measurement, categorizing participants into pet ownership categories. Cardiovascular Health (Dependent Variable): Measure: Cardiovascular health will be assessed using a combination of physiological measurements (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol levels) and self-reported behaviors (e.g., activity, diet, smoking status) gathered through surveys. Physiological measurements involve objective/physiological measures, utilizing interval scale for blood pressure and ratio scale for cholesterol levels. Self-reported behaviors will be collected using surveys, representing ordinal scales for activity, diet, and smoking status. Prevalence of Systemic Hypertension (SH) (Dependent Variable): Measure: Systemic hypertension prevalence will be determined based on participant responses to survey questions about diagnosed hypertension. This measure involves self-report surveys, employing a nominal scale to categorize participants as having SH or not. Demographic Characteristics (Control Variable): Measure: Demographic information such as age, gender, marital status, education, and income will be collected through self- report surveys. These surveys fall under the survey method, utilizing nominal and ordinal scales of measurement to categorize participants' demographic attributes. Describe your type of analysis and the p value required to support your hypothesis. Your response should be about 50 words. The analysis will employ logistic regression to assess the relationship between dog ownership and the reduction of cardiovascular disease. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 will be considered significant, indicating support for the hypothesis that dog ownership is linked to a decrease in cardiovascular disease risk. Develop the plan’s discussion content. Your response should be about 250 to 350 words. Include the following details: What you would expect to be the main finding of your study How you would know if your hypothesis was supported The potential implications of the findings A possible limitation of your proposed study Directions for future research Our study aims to show a strong correlation between dog ownership and lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, linked to increased physical activity, social support,

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7 and stress reduction. Anticipated benefits include improved blood pressure, better cholesterol levels, and decreased systemic hypertension (SH) prevalence among dog owners. We will know if our hypothesis is supported through statistical analysis. Logistic regression will assess the relationship between dog ownership and cardiovascular health indicators, such as the reduction in CVD risk and SH prevalence. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 will indicate a significant association between dog ownership and these positive health outcomes, confirming our hypothesis. The potential implications of our findings are significant. Confirming a positive correlation between dog ownership and cardiovascular health could highlight the benefits of pet companionship on overall well-being. Our study may prompt healthcare professionals to suggest dog ownership as a preventive strategy to reduce CVD risk factors. Additionally, promoting dog/pet ownership could lead to enhanced social interaction and physical activity, contributing to improved public health. A potential limitation is self-reported data, prone to recall bias. Future research could use wearable devices and clinical assessments for accurate measurements. Additionally, a longitudinal design would enhance causal conclusions by tracking participants over time. Supporting the findings in our research study, Levine et al. (2013) highlights that pet ownership, especially dogs, is likely associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk as dog owners engage in more physical activity, contributing to cardiovascular health benefits. This supports our hypothesis that dog ownership positively impacts cardiovascular health, endorsing the potential benefits of pet companionship on overall health and well-being. In the future, research could delve into the specific mechanisms through which dog ownership influences cardiovascular health, exploring the role of pet bonding, increased outdoor activity, and social interactions. Additionally, interventions could be developed to assess dog-ownership and its long-term impact on cardiovascular outcomes. In conclusion, our research study seeks to contribute insights into the potential benefits of dog ownership on cardiovascular health. Despite limitations, our findings could have practical implications for healthcare recommendations and public health strategies, promoting holistic well-being through the companionship of man's best friend.

8 References Mubanga, M., Byberg, L., Nowak, C., Egenvall, A., Magnusson, P. K., Ingelsson, E., & Fall, T. (2017). Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death - a nationwide cohort study. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 7, 15821. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1038/s41598-017-16118-6 Maugeri, A., Medina-Inojosa, J. R., Kunzova, S., Barchitta, M., Agodi, A., Vinciguerra, M., & Lopez-Jimenez, F. (2019). Dog Ownership and Cardiovascular Health: Results From the Kardiovize 2030 Project. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 3(3), 268–275. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.007 Krittanawong, C., Kumar, A., Wang, Z., Jneid, H., Virani, S. S., & Levine, G. N. (2020). Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Health in the US General Population. The American Journal of Cardiology, 125(8), 1158–1161. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.01.030 Levine, G. N., Allen, K., Braun, L. T., Christian, H. E., Friedmann, E., Taubert, K. A., ... Lange, R. A. (2013). Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Risk: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 127(23), 2353–2363. https://www-ahajournals- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/doi/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829201e1

PSY222_Project_One (1) 19-8-23

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